Which Grand Company should you join in FFXIV?

Before you can get a mount in Final Fantasy 14, you have to make a big decision: You must choose a Grand Company to join.

All three Grand Companies in FFXIV are led by characters you meet throughout the story, and they’ve set up shop in some of the early game’s main cities.

In this FFXIV guide, we’ll help you figure out which Grand Company to join. We’ll explain the differences between each, things to consider before choosing, how to get Company Seals, and how to raise your ranks.

Which Grand Company to join in FFXIV

Around level 20 in the main story of A Realm Reborn, you’ll be approached by representatives from each Grand Company.

While each Grand Company has a specific aesthetic, ethos, and home base, there is no difference between them. There’s no “best” Grand Company and it has no impact on the story.

• The Immortal Flames are a group of battle-hardened soldiers led by Raubahn Aldynn in Ul’Dah.
• The Maelstrom is a powerful naval force led by Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn in Limsa Lominsa.
• The Order of the Twin Adder is a group of proud mages and archers led by Kan-E-Senna Gridania.

While you might be compelled to choose the group that hails from the city you started your game in, you don't have to.

The biggest difference between the Grand Companies are what special outfits they get, which you can kind of see from the GC NPCs around their respective bases. While most of the outfit pieces are recolored variations of each other, the coats you get for hitting First Lieutenant are what people typically care about: the Flame Lieutenant’s Coat, the Storm Lieutenant’s Jacket, and the Serpent Lieutenant’s Coat:

Image: Square Enix via Polygon

If you’re still not sure about which one to join, note that you can always swap Grand Companies down the line.

How to get company seals and raise ranks

Each of the Grand Companies offer numerous ranks, like an organization or army. You can raise your rank through a Grand Company by taking on quests and events that offer up Company Seals.

You can get more Company Seals doing the following:

• Complete FATEs out in the open world
• Fill out entries in the Grand Company Hunting Log
• Accept and complete Grand Company Leves
• Undertake supply and provisioning missions

Exchange the seals to raise your rank, which offers you better gear, crafting material, and more as your climb the ranks. You will eventually need to participate in Squadron Missions to raise your rank to the max (Captain), so don’t put off leveling your squadrons, if that’s something you want to do.

You also need to be at least a Second Lieutenant to get a house, so you should turn in your GC Seals as you earn them.

If you’re just starting out in the massive world of Final Fantasy 14, we have tons of guides to help you. We have a beginner’s guide to get you started, along with a guide detailing when you’ll get your mount.

If you’re starting but are feeling overwhelmed, we have guides to help with picking a job and a guide that explains how long it may take to catch up to current content in FFXIV.

We also have guides on side content, like ocean fishing, relic weapons, and Island Sanctuary, for those who want to take a break from it all.